Overview
- Harish Singh Mahar, a 43-year-old ahlmad with 60% physical disability, died by suicide at the Saket court after jumping from a building and leaving a note that cited severe work pressure and stated no one was responsible.
- Delhi Police secured the scene, recovered the handwritten note, called forensic teams, sent the body for autopsy to AIIMS, and are recording statements as the inquiry continues.
- Court employees and lawyers held a sit-in and a candlelight march and initially announced a boycott of Saturday’s National Lok Adalat to press demands for staffing and workplace changes.
- Following a two-hour meeting, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya issued directions addressing the protesters’ demands, including recruiting more staff to ease workloads.
- Staffers have highlighted chronic shortages and heavy caseloads, with officials and employees citing thousands of pending matters and examples such as one clerk overseeing about 8,900 cases.